Why do we hear so much about geriatric care management these days? It’s because there are so many benefits they can provide to seniors and care givers. Let’s first clarify the term: A professional Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a health and human services specialist who helps families who are caring for older relatives. The GCM is trained and experienced in any of several fields related to care management, including nursing, gerontology, social work, psychology, and logistics of health care and often finances relating to the elderly. They are trained to assess, plan, coordinate, monitor and provide services for the elderly and their families. Although not lawyers, they are often aware of legal issues elders may be soon facing.
The benefits to you, the child or care giver of the elder range from saving time (vetting out various needs), saving money (knowing financial pitfalls of some decisions in advance), making better care decisions (with insight from someone who has seen it all) and most importantly –reducing stress. The stress of being alone in the decision making process, relief of now being informed about your various options and what may be right for the specific needs of the elder, ranging from doctor decisions, how to provide care, assisted living, home care and nursing care options. Doing it alone takes an enormous amount of time, energy, resources and self reliance.
According to Gladys Harris Geriatric Care Manager of The Olive Group, you may need a Geriatric Care Manager if:
• A person has limited or no family support available
• Family has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction regarding available senior services
• A person has multiple medical or psychological issues
• A person is unable to live safely in his / her current environment
• Family is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions
• Family has a limited time and / or expertise in dealing with loved one’s chronic care needs
• Family is at odds regarding care decisions
• Individual is not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacy
• Individual is confused regarding his / her own financial and / or legal situation
• Family needs education and / or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia
Gladys is a recommended resource of ours and helps families and elders in New Jersey. They offer a unique combination of compassion, knowledge, a ‘can-do’ attitude and a wide range of services which also include:
Solution Focused Counseling: Life transitions are a common reason for counseling. We focus on empowering individuals to find solutions in their life by figuring out what a person’s goals are, and supporting them to find ways to achieve those goals.
Care Coordination: Our holistic assessment includes a physical, psychological and social functioning evaluation of the older adult, as well as a home safety inspection. Based on the assessment, we will develop a customized client care plan to identify private and public resources available to support the older adult. We coordinate the support systems needed to keep the older adult safe and happy at home.
Wellness Monitoring: Regular visits with the older adult to help ensure that they receive the best care available. During our visits we ensure older adults are receiving help with things that they want done, computer skills, organize photos, plan family events, etc.
Accessibility Issue Resolution: Aging-in-place often requires making changes to the home to help maintain independence. This may be de-cluttering, home improvements, home safety inspection
Relocation Services: We support families during transitions from home to another location or facility. These services include cleaning, de-cluttering, downsizing, and setting up in the older adult’s new home.
Cost savings is also a key component to good geriatric care management. You can learn more about it and find out more about the range of services by clicking here: www.TheOliveGroup.llc.com
Regards,
Brian
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